Automatic sheet-feeding device

ABSTRACT

In an automatic sheet-feeding device having utility in a copying machine, there are provided a cutter for cutting a sheet from a web (e.g. a strip of a recording medium) in accordance with the size of another sheet (e.g. an original sheet to be copied), a switch for detecting the trailing end of a moving original sheet, and a plurality of signal switches adapted to be actuated in succession by a signal-transmitting element incident to advance of the original sheet along a defined path past the detecting switch. The positions of the signal switches represent progressively increasing predetermined sheet lengths. Actuation of the detecting switch renders the signal switches effective to actuate the cutter, so that the first signal switch to be actuated by the transmitting element after the trailing end of the original sheet passes the detecting switch produces a signal that actuates the cutter.

ilnited States Patent 91 Kobayashi [11] 3,722,34fi [451 Mar. 27, 1973 1 1 AUTOMATIC SHEET-FEEDING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Yugoro Kobayashi, Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Ricoh Co.', Ltd., Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: Jan. 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 110,510

30 Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 14, 1970 Japan ..45/ 12260 [52] 11.8. C1. ..83/203, 83/241, 83/372, 355/29 [51] Int. Cl. ..B26d 5/20 [58] Field of-Search ..83/203, 204, 205, 240, 241, 83/263, 370, 372, 399,363, 364; 355/13, 29

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,398,619 8/1968 Nichols et al ..83/372 X 3,572,203 3/1971 Woodham et a1. ..83/205 X 3,292,471 12/1966 Sames et a1 ..83/203 3,474,692 10/1969 Sames ..83/203 X 3,182,539 5/1965 Williams, Jr ..83/205 3,614,306 10/1971 Goldberg et a1. .....83/203 X 3,416,861 12/1968 Hansen et a1. ..83/203 X 3,564,960 2/1971 Foulks ..83/203 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Attorney-Henry T. Burke, Robert S. Dunham, P. E. Henninger, Lester W. Clark, Gerald W. Griffin, Thomas F. Moran, Howard J. Churchill, Christopher C. Dunham, Bradlee Boal and Robert Scobey ABSTRACT In an automatic sheet-feeding device having utility in a copying machine, there are provided a cutter for cutting a sheet from a web (e.g. a strip of a recording medium) in accordance with the size of another sheet (e.g. an original sheet to be copied), a switch for detecting the trailing end of a moving original sheet, and a plurality of signal switches adapted to be actuated in succession by a signal-transmitting element incident to advance of the original sheet along a defined path past the detecting switch. The positions of the signal switches represent progressively increasing predetermined sheet lengths. Actuation of the detecting switch renders the signal switches effective to actuate the cutter, so that the first signal switch tobe actuated by the transmitting element after the trailing end of the original sheet passes the detecting switch produces a signal that actuates the cutter.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures AUTOMATIC SHEET-FEEDING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to devices for automatically cutting a sheet from a strip, of material, and in a specific sense to devices for cutting and feeding a sheet of a recording medium (e.g. paper) to a copying machine or the like. More particularly, the invention relates to devices for cutting, from an advancing strip of a recording medium, a sheet of one of plural predetermined lengths selected automatically in accordance with the length of an original sheet to be copied.

In the art of copying an original sheet on a photosensitive or other recording medium, it is common practice to provide the recording medium as a continuous strip in roll form and to deliver it in successive discrete sheets to the printing section of the copying machine (i.e. as successive original sheets to be copied are supplied to the machine) by means of a suitable cutting and feeding device. Ordinarily it is desired that the sheet of recording medium be cut to a length that approximates the length of the original sheet being copied.

Heretofore, there have been available two types of systems for determining the lengths of sheets of recording medium to be supplied to a printing section in a copying machine. One of them is a system which requires that the feed device be preset at a certain length, or that any one of a progressively varying plurality of lengths provided for in the device be preselected by an operator, i.e. prior to initiation of a printing operation. When such system is employed, it is necessary to perform a length-setting or selecting operation prior to a printing operation. The other type of known system automatically measures the length of an original sheet inserted in the copying machine and produces a copy sheet of the same length as the original. This automatic operation generally involves detection of the trailing end of the original sheet (as the original advances into the machine) by means of a microswitch which produces a signal for actuating the cutter upon detection of the trailing end. When the latter system is employed, it is not necessary to perform a length-setting or selecting operation prior to the printing operation.

Of the two systems referred to hereinabove, the firstmentioned system affords the advantage that there are no variations in the length ofsheets of recording medium produced once the initial length setting is made, and hence successive copy sheets of the same size can positively be produced. Although the second-mentioned system is superior to the first-mentioned system as an automatic sheet feed system, in that it obviates any presetting operation for selecting sheet length, it is not without disadvantages. For example, copy sheets produced from successive original sheets tend to vary in length from one another in practice because the originals are not necessarily equal in length but may vary considerably from one another. This causes difficulty when the produced copy sheets are bound in book form. Particularly, realization of advantages from automation of various operations following printing, such as folding, classifying and binding of copy sheets, has been hampered by inability to produce copy sheets of uniform size. The presence of variations in the length of copy sheets produced would cause failures of such automatically operated machines for folding, classifying and binding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic sheet-feeding device (having utility for cutting and feeding sheets from a strip of recording medium to a copying machine) which combines the advantages of the aforementioned two systems of the prior art in a single device while obviating the disadvantages of the same. A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic sheet-feeding device which does not require a length-setting or selecting operation prior to the feeding of an original sheet to the copying machine, yet which permits production of copy sheets of predetermined size even if there are variations in the size of originals.

To these and other ends the invention contemplates the provision of an automatic sheet-feeding device (having particular utility in a copying machine) including a switch for detecting the trailing end of an original sheet during its movement in the machine, and a plurality of signal switches disposed along the path of movement of at least one signal transmitting element adapted to move in synchronism with the original and producing a signal to actuate a cutter for cutting an advancing strip of recording medium. The plurality of signal switches are disposed in positions corresponding to a plurality of predetermined sizes of sheets to be produced. Further in accordance with the invention, the detecting switch, signal switches and cutter are mutually so arranged and adapted that that one of the signal switches which is first actuated by the signaltransmitting element following the detecting of the trailing end of the original sheet by the detecting switch produces a signal to operate the cutter. This automatic sheet-feeding device of the invention requires no sheet size adjusting operation prior to the copying operation, yet enables production of copy sheets of uniform length in spite of variations in the length of originals.

Stated more generally, the invention contemplates, in an automatic sheet-feeding device for cutting a sheet from an advancing strip of material as an original sheet advances along a defined path, the combination of means for cutting the strip in response to an actuating signal; means for producing a sequence of signals representative of progressively increasing predetermined sheet lengths in response to and in correspondence with advance of the original sheet along its path, the signal-producing means being connected to actuate the cutting means and being switchable from a condition in which the signals do not actuate the cutting means to a condition in which any signal of the sequence will actuate said cutting means; and means for detecting, and for switching the signal-producing means from the first-mentioned condition to the second-mentioned condition in response to, passage of the trailing end of the original sheet past a given point in the path, such that the cutting means is actuated by that signal of the sequence which is produced immediately subsequent to passage of the trailing end as stated. The signal-producing means may include a plurality of signal-producing elements disposed in succession along a path of movement of an actuating or signal-transmitting element, and means for advancing the actuating element along the last-mentioned path into successive actuating engagement with the signalproducing elements, the signal-producing elements being disposed along the last-mentioned path in positions respectively corresponding to progressively increasing sheet lengths.

In, one embodiment of the invention, the original sheet inserted in the copying machine serves as the signal-transmitting element and the plurality of signal switches are disposed along the path of travel of the original sheet, each of such plurality of switches being spaced apart from the detecting switch for detecting the trailing end of the original sheet by a distance corresponding to one of a plurality of predetermined sheet lengths. This embodiment affords a device of relatively simple construction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the signaltransmitting element is adapted to move with a rotary carrier, such signal-transmitting element moving in synchronism with the movement of the original sheet and such rotary carrier rotating at a rate of revolution which has a predetermined proportionate relation to the rate of movement of the original sheet. In this embodiment, the plurality of signal switches are disposed along the outer periphery of the rotary carrier.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description hereinbelow set forth, together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a copying machine incorporating an automatic sheet-feeding device which embodies the present invention in a particular form; and I FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, a copying machine 2 is supported on'a bed 1 and an automatic sheet-feeding device 3 is disposed on the left side of the bed. The copying machine 2 is of a well-known construction which will be briefly described, as illustrative of one type of apparatus with which the devices of the present invention are adapted to be used.

An original sheet 18 inserted through an insertion port of the machine and a photosensitive copy sheet (i.e. a sheet of a photosensitive recording medium) supplied from the sheet-feeding device 3 are supported one on the other in overlapped relation between a printing cylinder 4 and a conveyor belt 5 and moved. While the overlapped sheets are moved, an image of the original is printed on the photosensitive sheet by means of a printing lamp 6.

After being processed through a printing operation in this way, the overlapped sheets are separated into the original sheet 18 and exposed photosensitive sheet by suction-type separation means 7 and 8, the original sheet 18 being delivered to an original tray 9A and the exposed photosensitive sheet being transmitted to developing means 10 which develops the photosensitive sheet and discharges the same through discharge rollers into a copy sheet tray 9B.

The automatic sheet feed device 3 comprises a continuous web or strip of photosensitive paper in the form of a roll 11, feed rollers 12, a rotary cutter 13 and means defining a sheet-conveying path suitably arranged in the device. y

In accordance with the invention, a microswitch 14 for detecting the trailing end of an introduced original sheet is disposed near the original sheet insertion port in the path of advance of the original sheet, and a second microswitch 15 for detecting the leading end of the original sheet is disposed beyond the switch 14 in the path of advance of that sheet. A plurality of microswitches 16A, 16B and 16C for producing a signal to the rotary cutter 13 to actuate the same are disposed along a portion of a joint path of travel of the overlapped original and photosensitive sheet. Switches 16A, 16B and 16C are disposed at successively greater predetermined distances from the location of the detecting switch 14; these distances respectively correspond to successively increasing predetermined sheet lengths.

The switches l4, 15, 16A, 16B and 16C as well as the feed rollers 12 and cutter 13 are interconnected electrically in appropriate manner to provide their desired interacting functions (hereinafter described) through appropriate circuitry represented in FIG. 1 by electrically controlling means 17. For the sake of simplicity, the details of the control circuitry 17 are not shown, but the arrangement and operation of that circuitry will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

Thus, as an original sheet 18 is inserted in the device, detection of the leading edge of that sheet by the microswitch 15 actuates the drive rollers 12 to feed the strip of recording medium 11 forwardly to the copying machine at a rate conveniently made equal to the rateof advance of the original sheet. As the leading edge of the advancing original sheet successively engages the microswitches 16A, 16B and 16C, it actuates each of these signal switches to produce a cutter-actuating signal. However, switches 14 and 16A-16C are so interconnected through control 17 that the actuation of switches 16A, B and C is ineffective to actuate the cutter 13 so long as the switch 14 has not detected passage of the trailing end of the original sheet. Actuation of switch 14 by passage of that trailing end functions to switch the signal-producing array of switches 16A, B and C to an effective condition such that the next signal switch (16A, B or C) engaged by the leading edge of a sheet 18, i.e. after the trailing edge passes switch 14, actuates the cutter 13 to cut the strip 1 1 The operation of the automatic copy sheet device constructed as aforementioned will now be described. If the original sheet 18 is inserted through the insertion port, then the leading end of original sheet 18 is detected by the microswitch 15 which produces a signal for operating the feed rollers 12 through the control means 17. Rotation of the feed rollers 12 causes the strip 11 of photosensitive paper to be moved forwardly. The leading end of the original sheet is successively brought into contact with the microswitches 16A, 16B and 16C in the indicated order. The microswitches 16A, 16B and 16C do not render the cutter l3 operative even if the leading end of the original sheet is brought into contact with any one of them, unless the trailing end of original sheet 18 has passed by the microswitch 14. It is not till the trailing end of the original sheet is released from engagement with the microswitch 14 that the cutter 13 is rendered operative, i.e. by that one of the microswitches 16A, 16B and 16C which is first brought into contact with the leading end of the original sheet following the release of the trailing end of the original sheet from engagement with the microswitch 14. The photosensitive strip 1 1' is cut when the cutter 13 is rendered operative in this manner.

When the microswitch 16B is intended for producing a photosensitive sheet of a given size from the photosensitive web 11', the distance between the microswitch 16B and microswitch 14 is determined so that it corresponds to the length of a sheet of the desired given size. Preferably, the cutter 13 is not actuated when the trailing end of an original sheet of the given size is released from engagement with the microswitch 14 but actuated when the leading end of the original sheet actuates the microswitch 16B following the release of the trailing end thereof from engagement with the microswitch 14. To this end, the microswitch 14 is preferably disposed in a position which is displaced a small distance rearwardly of the position corresponding to the given size so as to ensure that the microswitch 14 is first actuated by the trailing end of the original sheet and then the microswitch 16B is actuated by the leading end thereof irrespective of variations in the length of successive original sheets. In this way, the strip 11' of photosensitive paper is accurately cut into sheets of the desired given size by the cutter l3 actuated by the microswitch 168 at all times. It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the microswitch 14 does not itself actuate the cutter 13 but instead performs the function of selecting a suitable switch from among the microswitches 16A, 16B and 16C for rendering the cutter 13 operati e.

Preferably, the feed device is constructed such that the positions of microswitches 16A, 16B and 16C are adjustable, so that the microswitches can be operated to produce a sheet of any size as desired.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention provided with signal delay means 19 instead of disposing the set of microswitches 16A, 16B and 16C for detecting the leading end of an original sheet, as shown in FIG. 1. The signal delay means 19 comprises a rotary carriage 20 which rotates in the direction of the arrow at all times at a rate of revolution which is at a definite ratio with respect to the rate of movement of the sheet. The rotary carrier 20 is adapted to carry signal-transmitting elements 21 which are magnetically attracted to the outer periphery of the rotary carrier. When no signal is applied to a solenoid 25, the signal-transmitting elements 21 are prevented by a first locking pawl22 from moving together with the rotary carrier 20 as a unit. The numeral 23 designates a second locking pawl which is connected to the first locking pawl 22 through a seesaw lever 24, so that the two pawls 22 and 23 alternately move up and down. When a signal is supplied to the solenoid 25, it is energized and moves the first pawl 22 upwardly. The movement of the first pawl 22 is transmitted through the seesaw lever 24 to the second pawl 23 which is moved downwardly. The numerals 26A, 26B and 26C refer to switches which correspond to the microswitches 16A, 16B and 16C for detecting the leading end of an original sheet as shown in FIG. 1. The switches 26A, 26B and 26C are disposed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of rotary carrier 20 and adapted to be actuated by the signal-transmitting element 21.

When the leading end of an original sheet actuates the microswitch 15, then the feed rollers 12 are operated to feed the strip 11' of photosensitive paper. At the same time, the microswitch 15 produces a signal which is transmitted through the electrically controlling means 17 to the solenoid 25 to energize the same. Energization of solenoid 25 moves the first pawl 22 upwardly and simultaneously moves the second pawl 23 downwardly through the seesaw lever 24. Accordingly, the first signal-transmitting element 21 which has been locked by the first pawl 22 is unlocked and allowed to move together with the rotary carrier 20, and the other signal-transmitting elements 21 are locked by the second pawl 23. The first signal-transmitting element 21 moving with the rotary carrier 20 progressively depresses actuators for switches 26A, 26B and 26C. Although the signal-transmitting element 21 successively depresses the actuators for all the microswitches 26A, 26B and 26C, the microswitch which actuates the cutter 13 is selected by the microswitch 14 for detecting the trailing end of an original sheet 18, i.e. in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

When the signal is removed from the solenoid 25, it is de-energized, thereby permitting the first pawl 22 to move downwardly and the second pawl 23 to move upwardly. This causes the second and third signal elements 21 to move to a position in which they are locked by the first pawl 22 to stand by till the next signal is transmitted. The switches 26A, 26B and 26C may be constructed so as to permit adjustment of their positions as is the case with the microswitches of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

It is to be understood that any other suitable known means (such as that shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,861) may be used as the signal delay means of the second embodiment of this invention.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the device according to this invention permits production of copy sheets of a predetermined size in accord with standards even when originals vary in length from the standards by inserting the original in the copying machine without any preoperation. Incorporation of the present device in the copying machine offers the advantage of permitting automation of a copying operation and various operations following the copying operation because it is possible to provide photosensitive sheets of constant lengths at all times.

The present invention has been shown and described with reference to its incorporation in a copying machine. It is to be understood, however, that the device according to this invention may be employed with printing machines with excellent results.

As herein used, reference to signal-transmitting elements includes not only the elements 21 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 but also a member, such as the original sheet 18 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, which actuates the microswitch 16A, 168 or 16C after a predetermined time has elapsed or after it has moved a predetermined distance following its actuation of the microswitch l5.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the features and embodiments hereinabove specifically set forth but may be carried out in other ways without departure from its spirit.

Iclaim:

1. An automatic sheet feed device having particular utility in a copying machine which is adapted to cut a sheet from a web or strip in roll form in accordance with the size of an original, comprising a. a web or strip in roll form,

b. a cutter for cutting said strip,

0. means for initiating advance of said strip in response to detection of advance of an original past a preselected point,

. a detection switch for detecting the trailing end of a moving original, and

. a plurality of switches disposed along the path of movement of at least one signal-transmitting element adapted to move in synchronism with the original but independently of the position of the trailing edge of said original and adapted to actuate each of said switches in succession to produce a signal to actuate said cutter, said plurality of switches being arranged in positions which correspond to a plurality of predetermined sizes of sheets and being actuable by said element independently of said trailing edge position, and any one of said plurality of switches which is first actuated by said signal-transmitting element following the detection of the trailing end of original by said detection switch being adapted to produce said signal to actuate said cutter.

2. An automatic sheet feed device as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal-transmitting element is the original itself and said plurality of switches are disposed along the path of the original, the distance between said detection switch for detecting the trailing end of the original and said plurality of switches corresponding to the predetermined sizes of sheets.

3. An automatic sheet feed device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a detection switch for detecting the leading end of the original which is adapted to cause the signal-transmitting element to move.

4. An automatic copy sheet feed device as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one signal-transmitting element adapted to move in synchronism with the movement of the original is adapted to move with a rotary carrier as a unit as said detection switch for detecting the leading end of the original produces a signal, said rotary carrier rotating at a rate which is at a definite ratio with respect to the rate of movement of the original, said plurality of switches being disposed along the outer periphery of the rotary carrier.

5. In an automatic sheet-feeding device for cutting a sheet from an advancing strip of material as an original sheet having a leading edge and a trailing edge advances along a defined path, in combination,

a. means for cutting said strip in response to an actuating signal;

means for initiating advance of said strip in response to detection of advance of the leading edge of an original sheet past a preselected point in said path; c. means for producing a sequence of signals representative of pro ressively increasing predetermined sheet leng s in correspondence with successive predetermined increments of advance of said leading edge of said original sheet past said preselected point, said last-mentioned means being connected to actuate said cutting means and being switchable from a condition in which signals of said sequence do not actuate said cutting means to a condition in which any signal of said sequence actuates said cutting means; and means for detecting, and for switching said signalproducing means from said first-mentioned condition to said second-mentioned condition in response to, passage of the trailing end of said original sheet past a given point in said path, such that said cutting means is actuated by that signal of said sequence produced immediately subsequent to passage of said trailing end as aforesaid.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said signalproducing means includes i. a plurality of signal-producing elements disposed in succession along a path of movement of an actuating element, and means for advancing the actuating element along said last-mentioned path into successive actuating engagement with said signal-producing elements, said signal-producing elements being disposed along said last-mentioned path in positions respectively corresponding to progressively increasing sheet lengths. 

1. An automatic sheet feed device having particular utility in a copying machine which is adapted to cut a sheet from a web or strip in roll form in accordance with the size of an original, comprising a. a web or strip in roll form, b. a cutter for cutting said strip, c. means for initiating advance of said strip in response to detection of advance of an original past a preselected point, d. a detection switch for detecting the trailing end of a moving original, and e. a plurality of switches disposed along the path of movement of at least one signal-transmitting element adapted to move in synchronism with the original but independently of the position of the trailing edge of said original and adapted to actuate each of said switches in succession to produce a signal to actuate said cutter, said plurality of switches being arranged in positions which correspond to a plurality of predetermined sizes of sheets and being actuable by said element independently of said trailing edge position, and any one of said plurality of switches which is first actuated by said signal-transmitting element following the detection of the trailing end of original by said detection switch being adapted to produce said signal to actuate said cutter.
 2. An automatic sheet feed device as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal-transmitting element is the original itself and said plurality of switches are disposed along the path of the original, the distance between said detection switch for detecting the trailing end of the original and said plurality of switches corresponding to the predetermined sizes of sheets.
 3. An automatic sheet feed device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a detection switch for detecting the leading end of the original which is adapted to cause the signal-transmitting element to move.
 4. An automatic copy sheet feed device as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one signal-Transmitting element adapted to move in synchronism with the movement of the original is adapted to move with a rotary carrier as a unit as said detection switch for detecting the leading end of the original produces a signal, said rotary carrier rotating at a rate which is at a definite ratio with respect to the rate of movement of the original, said plurality of switches being disposed along the outer periphery of the rotary carrier.
 5. In an automatic sheet-feeding device for cutting a sheet from an advancing strip of material as an original sheet having a leading edge and a trailing edge advances along a defined path, in combination, a. means for cutting said strip in response to an actuating signal; b. means for initiating advance of said strip in response to detection of advance of the leading edge of an original sheet past a preselected point in said path; c. means for producing a sequence of signals representative of progressively increasing predetermined sheet lengths in correspondence with successive predetermined increments of advance of said leading edge of said original sheet past said preselected point, said last-mentioned means being connected to actuate said cutting means and being switchable from a condition in which signals of said sequence do not actuate said cutting means to a condition in which any signal of said sequence actuates said cutting means; and d. means for detecting, and for switching said signal-producing means from said first-mentioned condition to said second-mentioned condition in response to, passage of the trailing end of said original sheet past a given point in said path, such that said cutting means is actuated by that signal of said sequence produced immediately subsequent to passage of said trailing end as aforesaid.
 6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said signal-producing means includes i. a plurality of signal-producing elements disposed in succession along a path of movement of an actuating element, and ii. means for advancing the actuating element along said last-mentioned path into successive actuating engagement with said signal-producing elements, said signal-producing elements being disposed along said last-mentioned path in positions respectively corresponding to progressively increasing sheet lengths. 